SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Google has changed a help page that erroneously described how its “Location History” setting works, clarifying for users that it still tracks their location even if they turn the setting off. The change comes days after an Associated Press investigation revealed that several Google apps and websites store user location even if users have turned off Location History.

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Kroger begins testing driverless grocery deliveries

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Kroger is testing grocery deliveries using driverless cars near Phoenix. The biggest U.S. grocery chain began the project Thursday at a Fry’s supermarket, which is owned by Kroger. Shoppers can order groceries online or via a mobile app for same-day or next-day delivery to their home. After the order is placed, a driverless vehicle delivers the groceries curbside, requiring customers to be present to fetch them.

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Walmart sees sales rise at stores and online, raises outlook

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart raised its financial outlook for the year after beating Wall Street’s expectations for the quarter and seeing the strongest growth in more than a decade in sales at established stores. Its shares rose nearly 10 per cent.

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Where White House touts a boom, most economists see a blip

WASHINGTON (AP) — Is the latest pickup in U.S. economic growth destined to slow in the years ahead as most analysts say? Or, as the Trump administration insists, is the economy on the cusp of an explosive boom that will reward Americans and defy those expectations? On Thursday, President Donald Trump’s chief economic adviser, made his case for the boom.

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US says Turkey risks more sanctions over pastor

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — The Trump administration says Turkey could face additional sanctions if an American pastor detained on espionage and terrorism-related charges isn’t quickly released. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says the sanctions would be in addition to penalties recently imposed on two Turkish officials in the case of Andrew Craig Brunson.

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After Alex Jones timeout, Twitter CEO mulls deeper changes

NEW YORK (AP) — One day after Twitter gave right-wing conspiratorialist Alex Jones a weeklong timeout, CEO Jack Dorsey is reportedly mulling deeper changes to the social media service. Twitter had been resisting the move on Jones despite public pressure, although its holdout lasted less than two weeks. Then on Wednesday, Dorsey said Twitter is pondering new ways to limit the spread of fake news, misinformation and hate speech.

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Kudlow: China is sending team to Washington to talk trade

WASHINGTON (AP) — The top White House economic adviser confirms that China will send a trade envoy to Washington this month for talks to defuse an escalating dispute that threatens global economic growth. Larry Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, told reporters that the U.S. delegation will be led by David Malpass, the U.S. Treasury Department’s undersecretary for international affairs.

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US approves new generic competitor to EpiPen

WASHINGTON (AP) — US officials have approved a new generic version of Epipen, the emergency allergy medication. The injectable device is stocked by schools and parents to treat allergic reactions. The Food and Drug Administration approval comes two years after EpiPen maker Mylan was berated by Congress for hiking the price of its product by more than 500 per cent. The new version will be sold by Teva.

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July housing starts up a slight 0.9 per cent as tariffs bite

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. housing starts ticked up just 0.9 per cent in July, a sign that higher construction costs might be weighing on homebuilders. The Commerce Department says that housing starts last month rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.17 million. Lumber prices have shot up by about $7,000 per home since the start of 2017, largely due to tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber by the Trump administration.

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Stocks march higher on growing hopes for China trade talks

NEW YORK (AP) — US stocks jump as China prepares to resume trade discussions with the U.S., the first negotiations in month. Walmart soars after reporting its strongest sales growth in a decade and stronger online sales. Metals prices climb a day after dropping, and the price of oil also rose.

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The S&P 500 index climbed 22.32 points, or 0.8 per cent, to 2,840.69. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 396.32 points, or 1.6 per cent, to 25,558.73. The Nasdaq composite rose 32.41 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 7,806.52. The Russell 2000 index of smaller-company stocks added 15.09 points, or 0.9 per cent to 1,685.75.

U.S. crude inched up 0.7 per cent to settle at $65.46 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, the standard for international oil prices, picked up 0.9 per cent to $71.43 per barrel. Wholesale gasoline slipped 0.5 per cent to $1.99 a gallon, heating oil rose 0.3 per cent to $2.10 a gallon, and natural gas fell 1.1 per cent to $2.91 per 1,000 cubic feet.

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